How To Frost Cupcakes Like A Pro

It's easier than you think.

Cupcakes used to be relegated to the realm of kid's birthday parties and rarely seen in adult settings. But those days are over -- today's cupcakes are fancy enough to be served at weddings, and there are entire bakeries devoted to them. The best cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious, made by hands that know how to frost cupcakes as artfully as a painter knows how to paint.

But hose beautifully frosted cupcakes can break the bank, as gourmet cupcakes can cost anywhere between $4 and $8 a pop. You can save a small fortune if you learn how to make and frost cupcakes yourself. It's easier than you might think, and we're here to help.

This article will teach you how to frost cupcakes using the piping bag frosting technique, the spreading frosting technique, and and the dipping frosting technique. Let's get started!

1. Spreading Cupcakes

The "spreading cupcakes" technique is the simplest way to frost cupcakes, because all you're doing is spreading the frosting across the top of the pastry. No special equipment is needed -- all you need is a butter knife or rubber spatula. It's the perfect technique for children or novice adults to learn how to frost cupcakes.

The technique:

1. Place the cupcake in one hand and the spatula or butter knife in the other.

2. Dip the spatula into a bowl of freshly made frosting and spread it evenly over the top of the cupcake. Use as little or as much frosting as suits your fancy, but make sure the surface is completely covered. Smooth it out the way you would if you were spreading peanut butter on a piece of bread.

3. The downside of the spreading technique is that the finished cupcakes might look a little plain, but that just means you can get creative with toppings. Drizzle with syrup, sprinkles or any of your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit or candy to dress them up.

2. Dipping Cupcakes

If you prefer to frost your cupcakes with a thin layer of homemade icing or ganache, the dipping technique is ideal. It's the easiest way to get a thin, even coat over the top, and with this method you don't even have to dirty a knife or spatula -- you can apply the icing directly from the bowl.

3. Use A Piping Bag For Frosting Cupcakes

Using a piping bag to frost your cupcakes results in the most dramatic finished product -- this is the stuff $8 cupcakes are made of. The technique is a little more detailed, but don't be intimidated. It's far easier than it seems. However, this method does require some special equipment.

You'll Need:

Piping Bag

Piping Bag Tips

Piping bag tips come in different sizes and shapes, which produce different patterns and textures in the icing. They're relatively inexpensive, so we suggest getting an assortment and experimenting with different tips to find which ones you like best. You'll be able to create a variety of cupcakes by switching back and forth between tips.